King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:8 in the King James Version says “In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whi... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

Jeremiah 44:8 · KJV


Context

6

Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.

7

Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain; out: Heb. out of the midst of Judah

8

In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

9

Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem? wickedness: Heb. wickednesses, or, punishments, etc

10

They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers. humbled: Heb. contrite


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your handsbəmaʿăśê yədekem (with the works of your hands) is technical vocabulary for idols (Deuteronomy 4:28, 27:15, 31:29; Isaiah 2:8). Idols are 'works of hands' because humans manufacture them—the absurdity of worshiping one's own creations. Burning incense unto other gods continues the indictment from verse 3, showing their pattern persisted from Judah into Egypt.

In the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell (bəʾereṣ miṣrayim ʾăšer-ʾattem bāʾîm-šām lāgûr šām)—the verb gûr (to sojourn, dwell temporarily) recalls their stated intention to stay 'temporarily' (42:15, 17, 22; 43:2), but their idolatry shows permanence of purpose. The devastating purpose clauses: that ye might cut yourselves off (ləmaʿan haḵrît lākem) and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations (ûləmaʿan hĕyôtəkem liqlālâ ûləḥerpâ). The ləmaʿan (in order that) clauses depict ironic purpose—their actions achieve the opposite of their intentions. Seeking safety, they guarantee destruction; seeking honor in Egypt, they become a curse-word among nations (cf. Deuteronomy 28:37).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt was filled with idolatrous worship—Ra, Osiris, Isis, Horus, and countless local deities. The Jewish refugees apparently participated in Egyptian cults and continued worship of the 'Queen of Heaven' (likely Ishtar). Archaeological discoveries at Elephantine show later Jewish communities syncretizing Yahweh worship with pagan elements. Jeremiah warns that such compromise would lead to their extinction and infamy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the phrase 'works of your hands' expose the absurdity of trusting in human-created securities (ideologies, systems, wealth)?
  2. What ironic purposes might your actions be accomplishing—seeking one thing but guaranteeing its opposite?
  3. How does cultural accommodation to pagan surroundings lead to forfeiting God's protection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
לְהַכְעִסֵ֙נִי֙1 of 23

In that ye provoke me unto wrath

H3707

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant

בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣י2 of 23

with the works

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יְדֵיכֶ֔ם3 of 23

of your hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לְקַטֵּ֞ר4 of 23

burning incense

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

לֵאלֹהִ֤ים5 of 23

gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִים֙6 of 23

unto other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

הָאָֽרֶץ׃7 of 23

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם8 of 23

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֲשֶׁר9 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתֶּ֥ם10 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָּאִ֖ים11 of 23

whither ye be gone

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָג֣וּר12 of 23

to dwell

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

שָׁ֑ם13 of 23
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לְמַ֙עַן֙14 of 23
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

הַכְרִ֣ית15 of 23

that ye might cut yourselves off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לָכֶ֔ם16 of 23
H0
וּלְמַ֤עַן17 of 23
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

הֱיֽוֹתְכֶם֙18 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִקְלָלָ֣ה19 of 23

and that ye might be a curse

H7045

vilification

וּלְחֶרְפָּ֔ה20 of 23

and a reproach

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

בְּכֹ֖ל21 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גּוֹיֵ֥י22 of 23

among all the nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הָאָֽרֶץ׃23 of 23

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 44:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 44:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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